Andy Garcia to Star in Netflix’s “The Pain Hustlers”

Andy Garcia is hustlin’…

The 66-year-old Cuban actor has joined the cast of David Yates’ Netflix film The Pain Hustlers.

Andy GarciaGarcia will star opposite Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O’HaraJay Duplass, Brian d’Arcy James and Chloe Coleman.

The film billed as tonally similar to The Big ShortAmerican Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street follows Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liza lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive then catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the center of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.

Netflix acquired global rights to the film written by Wells Tower for $50M out of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Garcia is an Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee whose recent film credits include Warner Bros. and HBO Max’s Father of the BrideGuy Ritchie’s actioner Wrath of Man; the comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, with Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo and Jamie Dornan; the romantic drama Words on Bathroom Walls, with Charlie Plummer and Taylor Russell; Clint Eastwood’s crime drama, The Mule; Sacha Gervasi’s Emmy-nominated TV movie My Dinner with Hervé for HBO; Ol Parker’s Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again; and the comedy Book Club, with Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen.

The actor’s credits on the television side include RebelFlipped and Ballers.

He’ll next be seen in the romantic drama What About Love with Sharon Stone, Lionsgate’s The Expendables 4 and Focus Features Book Club 2: The Next Chapter, among other projects.

Jason Canela to Appear on Apple TV+’s Original Comedy Series “Mrs. American Pie”

Jason Canela is taking a swing…

The 30-year-old Cuban American actor will portray a tennis pro in Apple TV+’s original comedy series Mrs. American Pie.

Jason CanelaCanela will recur on the series alongside Jordan BridgesKaia Gerber, Mindy CohnJulia Duffy and Claudia Ferri.

Written by Abe Sylvia and directed by Tate TaylorMrs. American Pie is a story about gorgeously impossible people. Set during the powder keg era of the early 1970s, it follows Maxine Simmons (Kristen Wiig) and her attempt to secure her seat at America’s most exclusive table: Palm Beach high society. As Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots, the series asks the same questions that baffle us today: Who gets a seat at the table, how do you get a seat at the table, and what will you sacrifice to get there?

The 10-episode series also stars Laura Dern, Carol Burnett, Ricky Martin, Amber Chardae Robinson, Allison Janney and Leslie Bibb.

Mrs. American Pie was developed by Dern and her producing partner Jayme Lemons via their Jaywalker Pictures banner. Sylvia is writing, executive producing, and showrunning the series. Taylor will direct and executive produce alongside his producing partner John Norris via their Wyolah Entertainment banner. Katie O’Connell Marsh executive produces for Boat RockerApple Studios produces.

Canela portrays Eddie, a tennis pro at the Palm Beach high society club.

Bridges portrays Perry Donahue, an entrepreneur and old schoolmate of Douglas’ (played by Josh Lucas).

Gerber portrays Mitzi, a local manicurist.

Duffy portrays Mary Jones Davidsoul, an old-money member of the Palm Beach high society.

Cohn portrays Ann, an editor for the society column.

Ferri portrays Raquel, a Cuban ex-pat and member of the Palm Beach high society club.

Canela has appeared in Always Be My Maybe, Single in South Beach and The Rookie.

Andy Garcia to Star in the Courtroom Drama “Miranda’s Victim”

Andy Garcia is heading to court…

The 66-year-old Cuban actor will star in the courtroom drama Miranda’s Victim from director Michelle Danner, with production on the project underway in New Jersey.

Andy GarciaGarcia will star opposite Abigail BreslinLuke Wilson and Donald Sutherland  in the film, which is written by J. Craig Stiles and George Kolber.

The film will tell the true story of Trish Weir (Breslin), who in 1963 was kidnapped and brutally raped by Ernesto Miranda. Committed to putting her assailant in prison, Trish’s life is destroyed by America’s legal system as she triggers a law that transforms the nation.

Wilson will play Lawrence Turoff, the country prosecutor that convinces Trish to testify and helps her bring her aggressor to justice, with Garcia as public defender Alvin Moore, who takes on Miranda’s case, and Sutherland as Judge Wren, who convicts Miranda for the rape of Weir.

Danner and Kolber are producing alongside Valerie Debler, Brian Drillinger and Alexandra Guarnieri.

The production company involved is Navesink River Productions.

“The first time I read George Kolber’s riveting script and learned about Trish’s experience, it moved and inspired me,” said Danner. “”Miranda’s Victim” puts us at the intersection between a brutal rape case and and a national movement for civil liberties.”

Garcia is an Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee whose recent film credits include Guy Ritchie’s Jason Statham actioner Wrath of Man; the comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, with Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo and Jamie Dornan; the romantic drama Words on Bathroom Walls, with Charlie Plummer and Taylor Russell; Clint Eastwood’s crime drama, The Mule; Sacha Gervasi’s Emmy-nominated TV movie My Dinner with Hervé for HBO; Ol Parker’Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again; and the comedy Book Club, with Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen.

The actor’s credits on the television side include RebelFlipped and Ballers.

He’ll next be seen in Warner Bros. and HBO Max’s Father of the Bride; the romantic drama What About Love, with Sharon Stone; and Lionsgate’s The Expendables 4.

Salma Hayek to Present at This Year’s Oscars

Salma Hayekwill be taking the Oscarsstage…

The 53-year-old Mexican actress and producer has been added to the list of presenters for the 92nd annual Academy Awards telecast on Sunday.

Salma Hayek

In addition to Hayek, who earned an Oscar nod for her portrayal of iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in the 2002 film Frida, the new additions include Utkarsh AmbudkarBrie LarsonSpike LeeRay Romano, and Rebel Wilson

Previously announced presenters include James CordenPenélope CruzBeanie FeldsteinZack GottsagenDiane KeatonShia LaBeouf, George MacKaySteve MartinKeanu Reeves, Maya Rudolph, Zazie BeetzTimothée ChalametWill FerrellGal GadotMindy KalingJulia Louis-Dreyfus, Lin-Manuel MirandaAnthony RamosMark RuffaloKelly Marie Tran, Kristen Wiig and Sigourney Weaver.

The 92nd annual Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC on February 9 from the Dolby Theatre

Penelope Cruz to Present at This Year’s Oscars

Penelope Cruzhas a date with Oscar

The 45-year-old Spanish actress and Oscar winner is set to present at the 92nd annual Academy Awardson ABC

Penelope Cruz

Cruz, a three-time nominee who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Woody Allen‘s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, joins a roster of new additions to the presenters roster that includes James CordenBeanie FeldsteinZack GottsagenDiane KeatonShia LaBeouf, George MacKaySteve MartinKeanu Reeves, Maya Rudolph and Sigourney Weaver.

Previously announced presenters include Zazie BeetzTimothée ChalametWill FerrellGal GadotMindy KalingJulia Louis-DreyfusLin-Manuel MirandaAnthony RamosMark RuffaloKelly Marie Tranand Kristen Wiig.

The Oscars will be televised live on February 9 from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Serna Joins Cast of Alexander Payne’s Satire “Downsizing”

Pepe Serna is downsizing…

The 71-year-old Mexican American veteran character actor and artist has joined the cast of Alexander Payne’s satire Downsizing, joining Matt DamonKristen WiigChristoph Waltz and Hong Chau, according to Variety.

Pepe Serna

The Paramount film, currently shooting in Toronto, centers on an Omaha man who joins the throngs of people undergoing a new process that reduces humans to a tiny fraction of their size. Then they move to one of the many communities of small people that are sprouting up around the world.

“It’s the smallest part I’ve ever had, four inches to be exact,” Serna said.

Payne is co-writing the script with Jim Taylor. The duo won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay for Sideways and collaborated on the scripts for Citizen Ruth, Election, Jurassic Park III, About Schmidt and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.

Serna is also one of the new members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, announced on Wednesday.

His career dates back nearly 50 years with credits including Scarface, American Me, Car Wash, The Black Dahlia and The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez.

Armisen Joins the Cast of Ben Stiller’s “Zoolander 2”

Fred Armisen is ready, ready to run(way)…

The 48-year-old half-Venezuelan-American actor and former Saturday Night Live cast member has joined the cast of Ben Stiller’s Zoolander 2.

Fred Armisen

Armisen’s casting was announced via Twitter and Instagram, following Stiller’s posting about the addition of Billy Zane a day earlier.

Others who’ve signed to return for the followup to the supermodel saga include
Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor and Will Ferrell. New additions to the cast include Penelope Cruz, Kristen Wiig and Cyrus Arnold as Zoolander’s son.

Stiwill again directs; with Justin Theroux writing the script and appearing in front of the camera antics.

Zoolander 2 is slated to open February 12, 2016.

Lopez to Serve as a Presenter at the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards

Jennifer Lopez has a golden responsibility this weekend…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer and American Idol judge is among the second batch of presenters announced today by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards.

Jennifer Lopez

Lopez, who received a Golden Globe nomination in 1998 for her breakout role in Selena, joins a list of presenters that includes Jennifer Aniston, Kate Beckinsale, Bryan Cranston, Jamie Dornan, Colin Firth, Jane Fonda, Harrison Ford, Bill Hader, Katherine Heigl, Dakota Johnson, Adam Levine, Matthew McConaughey, Seth Meyers, Lupita Nyong’o, Jeremy Renner, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Vince Vaughn, and Kerry Washington.

They will join previously announced presenters; Amy Adams, Adrien Brody, Robert Downey Jr., Anna Farris, Ricky Gervais, Kevin Hart, Salma Hayek, Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Pratt, Channing Tatum, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

The ceremony, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler for the third year in a row, will air on Sunday, January 11 live coast-to-coast on NBC with the pre-show from 4-5 PM (PST)/7-8 PM (EST), and main telecast from 5-8 PM (PST)/8-11 PM (EST) from the Beverly Hilton.

Hayek to Lend Her Voice to Seth Rogen’s R-Rated Animated Film “Sausage Party”

Salma Hayek’s next project may be animated, but it might not be family friendly…

The 47-year-old Mexican actress will lend her voice to the raunchy animated tale of a sausage’s quest to discover the truth about his existence.

Salma Hayek

The Oscar-nominated actress will play Teresa the Taco in Sausage Party, the R-rated animated film written by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir.

Hayek joins a voice cast that includes Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, Michael Cera, Edward Norton and David Krumholtz.

After falling out of a shopping cart, the hero sausage and his new friends embark on a journey through the supermarket to get back to their aisles before the Fourth of July sale.

Sony Pictures is planning to distribute the film worldwide with a 2015 release date in the plans.

Hayek most recently appeared in Grown Ups 2 and Here Comes The Boom. She next stars in How To Make Love Like An Englishman and Everly.

Ferrera Back for “How to Train Your Dragon 2”

America Ferrera is back to training dragons

The 29-year-old Honduran American actress is back for the sequel to the hit animated film How to Train Your Dragon, voicing the character of Astrid Hofferson once again.

How to Train Your Dragon

In the just-released teaser trailer for How to Train Your Dragon 2, there aren’t too many plot details revealed, but you can see some fancy flying.

The sequel takes place five years after the 2010 original — a half-billion-dollar global sleeper for DreamWorks Animation — and Toothless the dragon’s human Hiccup is decidedly in teenager mode.

The first pic boasted a soaring 98% positive reviews score en route to an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature and director Dean DeBlois is back.

Along with Ferrera, the voice cast includes Jay Baruchel, Kristen Wiig, Gerald Butler, Jonah Hill and Craig Ferguson.

The sequel is set to hit theaters next summer.